KUCHING: Bintulu has been selected as the venue for the 6th Special Olympics Malaysia (SOM) Games Sarawak 2026, says Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
The national games will take place from April 24 to 26, with the opening ceremony scheduled for the evening of April 25 and the closing on April 26.
“Sarawak is honoured to host the games, and Bintulu has the facilities required to accommodate all eight sports,” she said after chairing the organising committee meeting here on Friday (Jan 30).
Fatimah added that Kuching could not host the event due to ongoing preparations for the Asean Games, making Bintulu the most suitable location.
“A total of 11 states and Federal Territories — Sarawak, Sabah, Penang, Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Melaka, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan — are expected to participate, with an estimated 778 athletes, coaches and officials.
“As host, Sarawak plans to field about 248 athletes to ensure greater participation and provide local athletes with the opportunity to showcase their talent and potential.”
She stated that the games will feature eight sports — bocce, badminton, basketball, aquatics, track and field, football, table tennis and bowling — with the latter introduced as a new event for this edition.
“Venues include Stadium Muhibbah for bocce and table tennis, Bintulu Badminton Centre, the BDA swimming pool, Megaland Bowling Centre and Club Kidurong for unified five-a-side football.”
Fatimah stressed that the Special Olympics emphasises participation rather than medal achievements, in line with its motto: “Let me win, but if I fail, let me be brave enough in the attempt.”
“In Special Olympics, by participating, they are already winners.”
She also highlighted the Healthy Athletes Programme, which will be held alongside the games to provide free health screenings covering areas such as blood pressure, dental, vision, hearing and muscular health.
The programme will involve cooperation from the Health Ministry, the Bintulu Divisional Health Office, volunteers from other divisions and SEGi College.
“Through previous screenings, some athletes discovered underlying health conditions that required medical attention.
“This programme ensures their health is monitored and that they receive the necessary follow-up care.”
Fatimah said athletes will undergo divisioning to ensure they compete in events suited to their abilities while coaches will continue identifying and developing talent.
She also revealed that a new element has been proposed for the games and will be announced after the Bintulu Steering Committee meeting.
